The Man in Black, In Space
Publisher: Lulu Publishing
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Raleigh, N.C
Format: Fantasy
Number of pages: 155
Description: Have you ever dreamed that one day you'd awaken and find yourself traveling in a time machine surfing the solar system, and find that your dream was real? Dakota and Destiny had that very dream and with the help of their friend Wells, they used his time machine and traveled to Venus, Mercury, and Mars. The man in black will captivate and thrill you throughout all the solar adventures.
Table of contents: title: Prologue; title: As we promised some time ago, we would be bringing you interesting and exciting stories, some true, some speculative, about our continued travels throughout the universe. We have since gathered our thoughts, completed our studies, and have made plans to venture out into the unknown. The term unknown represents speculations and theories about that which cannot be described in detail and accuracy so as to leave some doubt in the readers mind. We are here to set the record straight by presenting to you sights and sounds we have actually seen and heard all emanating from the near and far reaches of space.; title: Despite all efforts by the world’s greatest scientists to understand and explore regions of space, and capture time, all have failed, that is until now. And although the scientists did not succeed, we were able to circumnavigate the laws of physics governing all things of space and matter. Why, you ask, were we chosen above all others to venture out and retrieve secrets previously unknown to all earth dwellers? The answer and truth remains in the experiences we have had in the past, and our overwhelming successes with all things known and unknown. To begin, we met as a result of our searches throughout the universe for an answer to why we should be alone because of circumstances in our lives to cause us to be left without significant others. As we asked ourselves why we were left out, so to speak, of our yearnings and desires to be with someone of significance and someone who would understand the universe and our position in the larger picture, we realized, at different times, we didn’t have to be apart. As we knew and realized the vastness of space and lack of understanding of what goes on beyond the reaches of man’s knowledge, we rationalized that we were known entities. And as a recognized particle of the universe, we had the ability to avail ourselves to the powers that could unite us. Not knowing the keys to unlocking our beings to be united as one, we sought assistance from the known and unknown gods of the universe.; title: Reverting to our mythological studies from the past, we sought out, at separate times, remember, certain creatures from the heavens. We were always welcome and were granted interviews explaining our situations, our sadnesses, sorrows and our needs to locate our significant other also known to be searching the universe. Our plights were heard, and of course our charts were known to those all-knowing beings of the heavens. So once they realized our problems, they were happy and willing to get us together as they took pride and joy in creating a happiness to which they could claim as their victory; an accomplishment. How did this come about? We were somehow introduced on line and we began communicating through simple stories. As these stories developed and expanded, so did our comfort zone and our understanding of one another. Over the course of time, and always with the help of the gods of the universe, we were allowed to meet. The timing had to be precise because it was important that this union be in line with known and unknown entities of the universe. When all was right with those involved, we were given the signal in a subliminal manner to meet. We, of course, did not know what was going on but merely accepted each other’s offer to meet. We did not realize at the time that this meeting could not fail, we acted our best and performed in our normal way being extra careful not to make upsetting statements which could cause any negative feelings.; title: Having had a wonderful encounter, we progressed through time developing a strong relationship which led to a love for one another. This love, combined with our desires to explore all places strengthened our wants to be together forever and to begin our travels. We consulted many sources to discover how we would be able to venture out into space safely and return in a short time without fear of danger to one another. Again, with our mythological guardians, we were allowed to enter near universes by making special wishes and allowing ourselves to think ourselves there. This was fun, and even though the ventures were short, they were stepping stones to what would eventually lead us into deep space to explore black holes, and other phenomena thought to be known and unknown by man. Our early trips were most always within our own atmosphere, never venturing any further than the moon. Of course, even given the opportunity to tread on the moon was most rewarding, for up to that time we had no references. We found the moon to be an interesting venture because although there were no creatures resembling us, there were nevertheless creatures. For example, we found life in the cracks of the rocks resembling thin string-like beings. They frolicked around the rocks and boulders slipping in and out of the cracks and otherwise enjoying their existence. Upon viewing us they communicated that we were not the first they had observed, but we were the first who took an interest in them. Although friendly, they did not have a language we could recognize so we asked for help. We called for help from those gods who were an integral part of getting our lives together. They responded quickly and allowed us to discover an alternate creature that could speak with us and also gyrate in such a way as to tell the small creatures who we were and where we were from. They spoke of others who inhabited the home on which they lived, known to us as the moon. They leaped and tumbled in the direction of the mountains letting us know where these other creatures lived and played. Our communicator was able to effectively convey their thoughts well enough to get us excited about venturing to the mountains in search of the others.; title: We approached a small mountainous area with caution; not being familiar with the terrain and not knowing if there were dangerous situations around. Our communicator assured us that this land was safe and to his knowledge all creatures great and small were kind and friendly even though they were different from one another; different, that is, in size and shape, for those who dwelled in the open small rocky areas were more exposed to the sun and cold, and therefore had to adapt to those conditions. Having no previous experiences in their lives, they didn’t know what hot and cold meant, they merely existed. The creatures of the Rocky Mountains however could feel thermal differences and had a greater respect for the changing conditions of hot and cold. The first ones we espied were somewhat apprehensive about coming out to meet us because they had never seen the likes of humans before, for astronauts and other travelers who landed on the moon did so away from the mountains for fear of crashing, so they were never seen. Our communicator and we were able to explain who we were and where we were from; pointing out into the heavens and viewing our globe we call earth. Of course the creatures were well aware of our place so they didn’t give it any thought because they were not mentally equipped to want to nor need to know about us, they merely existed and were happy in their position, having never known anything else. They actually established dwellings inside the cracks and crevasses of their mountain and also had caves which provided warmth and cool when the moon worked its way around the earth and sun. Their togetherness was not as in a family structure known to us, but was a gathering as if to offer protection if it was ever needed. Our visit was not too extended for we found that there was not too much we could learn about these moon entities because they merely existed and seemed to enjoy where they were and what they did.; title: We summoned our guardian gods and requested safe passage back to earth for we were tired and needed to recoup and prepare for out next venture to a near-by location. We very quickly found ourselves back from where we began, almost as if we had never left. We thanked our friends who were the gods, and asked for continued assistance in getting to other lands. They said they would help, within reason, because they did not have command of all of space. They ruled the galaxy, only, and beyond that there were no guarantees.  What was next on our agenda you ask? We planned to extend further out, but not far enough to be out of reach of our mythological gods, for if their fear was real, you can guess how we felt. As we advanced our thoughts we got the idea of consulting with some of the most famous and knowledgeable scientists who ever lived. To be able to do this we had to be able to project ourselves to the very special Conference Hall of the past greatest astro-scientists and science fiction writers of all time, for it is here where all the knowledge of their fields are found, and the conferences are never ending. Where is this place of which we speak? Oh, its location is unknown to normal human beings, and only open to a very few, special people who have been cleared with the mythological gods. Because of our standing with the gods from our past experiences, and of the trust established long ago, we were invited any time we wished, and that is the key word, wished, for wish we did, and no sooner did we make our request, did we find ourselves in the most majestic chamber with the most dignified people ever, never, assembled. There was Albert Einstein, Carl Sagan, Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, Ptolemy, and Nicolas Copernicus. These gentlemen took turns expounding upon their studies and beliefs, each in their turn according to when they walked on earth. As the lectures continued, each following speaker would comment upon the one who spoke, praise their studies, and elaborate on their new findings based on what the elders had discovered with none being chastised nor criticized for their work. When the conference concluded, each departed in their familiar way and returned to their places of rest only to return again when their knowledge and expertise was asked for or needed. In the second Conference Hall great writers of science fiction were gathered to expound upon their stories and elaborate on their motivations for writing and how they were inspired by past writers. Here you would find such dignitaries as Isaac Asimov, Edgar Rice Burrows, Arthur C. Clarke, Hugo Gernsback, Robert A. Heinlein, H.P. Lovecraft, and H.G. Wells.; title: As we listened intently to the speakers from both forums, we were in awe at the knowledge these people were able to amass, and how the world was made better and clearer from their studies. We focused on H. Wells because in his first science fiction book, the Time Machine, wherein he was able to transport himself through the time continuum at will and visit places no other living person had done before or since. To our amazement, as we approached Mr. Wells, he was receptive to our greeting and interest in his works and consented to visit for awhile before his departure time. Our fascination was with his machine, its design and operation. He told us that although it was complex, one had only to set the dials for the proper time and place, prepare, and enjoy the ride and hopefully arrive close to the time zone requested; the machine could not be that precise. We told him our interest was in space travel, matter, beginnings of things, and particularly black holes. Because the concept of black holes was not in vogue at his time, he never opted for that location, but thought it might be fascinating after hearing some of the other science fiction writers claiming their knowledge of such things. Mr. Wells consented to share with us his machine, design, operation, but could not guarantee our ride to the edges of the universe as he had never used it for that purpose, but he could not imagine why it would not work in any venue. We talked about some of his other works, all fascinating and thrilling, but had to leave, for it was he who had to depart for his resting place, and we, also, needed to return to our place to decipher our notes and plan, once again, our next destination. We thought since Venus and Mars were closest to earth, in relative terms that either should be our next stop.; title: So now we begin with Chapter One introducing our main characters; Dakota and Destiny, where their adventures begin.; title: Dakota and Destiny emerged from a life-long relationship after they realized they were both interested in science.; title: A twenty seven year old college graduate with a major in the sciences was standing over near the lab when a friend of Destiny’s asked and pointed in Dakota’s direction, “Who is that handsome young man over there?”; title: “Oh, that’s my old friend, Dakota.” Destiny said and then immediately gestured for her friend, Desirea, to follow her as she walked across the room to greet Dakota. He stood tall and proud as he saw Destiny approaching and he smiled his toothy smile. He noticed she hadn’t changed a bit as she swaged toward him in her size six evening grown.; title: “Beautiful as always Destiny; especially in that most alluring gown.” Dakota said as he flashed a smile at her.; title: “Thanks Dakota, I’m captivating, huh? Well you don’t look so bad yourself. Care to join me for the science ball dance?”; title: “Dressed like this? Hell no! But you could go change and meet me in the lab. I’m on to something you might be interested in.”; title: “You rat Dakota, you know I can’t turn down such an invitation - I’ll be right back.”; title: From that one alluring lab date their whole life changed and within that year they married. After that they could only talk about time travel and going on adventures together high in the heavens.